Re: Ideas for '60's Theme Camp
Dr. Steven C. Myers (R1SCM@AKRONVM.BITNET)
Fri, 31 Mar 1995 09:26:58 EST
On 30 Mar 1995 11:36:46 -0500 Joanne Burns, Admin. Asst., History said:
>Hi Everyone!
>
>Well, the votes are in. Our Girl Guide company (girls aged 9-12) have picked
>a '60's theme for a camp at the end of April. It was really a neck-in-neck
>race with another theme - mystery. We will also be camping with another Guide
Good luck,
Far be it from me to suggest you revote for mystery, but let me
relate briefly what happened when our Summer Camp had a 60s week
theme. One troop (with various support from others) staged
daily protests, wore tie-dye instead of the uniform to retreat,
refused to take part in the retreat Sunday night by staging a sit
down. The Camp director had to negotiate with the troops' representative
to get them to end the sit-down, and bought them off by offering
a free swim that evening. With that retreat continued. My troop
got swept up in the excitement and joined the sit down as well.
Some example we were setting -- protesting at the flag ceremony.
My troop that evening had a required troop meeting in our
campsite at the same time as the wrongly earned swim. This started
off the summer camp week with a bitter taste. The older scouts
understood my objections (you work, do service, or pay to swim;
you earn it -- not demand it and take it and force programs to
change just because you want it to). I complained loudly and longly to
the Camp Director and the SE. I offered not to return to my beloved
camp if I couldn't be assured that they wouldn't in one week undo the
respect and adherence to Scout ideals that I spend a year trying to
instill. That week, I lost four kids from summer camp. One from
the troop for good. Two have attended very little since then.
Sorry for the length and I am really trying not to rain on your parade.
Our country had a very turbulent 60s and while much was accomplished
during that decade, much was not up to scouting ideals (I am a 68
eagle BTW).
For the troops to protest that they wanted better food in the
dining hall and to stage what looked like a major 60s protest
was to belittle the true historic significance of the entire period.
Wow, sorry I went so far with this -- I'll shut up now and "sit down."
Dr. Steve
Hey have a great 60s week and just ignore the guy from Akron.
Steve Myers R1SCM@VM1.CC.UAKRON.EDU (or STEVEMYERS@UAKRON.EDU)
Scoutmaster Troop 1 634 Mardon Ave., Akron, OH 44303
Great Trail Council Dept. of Econ., The Univ. of Akron, 44325-1908
Marnoc Lodge #151 (216) 972-7421
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
